Guest essay: 'Caring' Victor gun club aims to help

They did not have a specific “youth shooting program” but generously offered something even better — a sort of “big brother” mentorship relationship!

Karen Brown

I am a mother of a 13-year-old boy who struggles with a disability that has robbed him of his ability to walk — a rare, progressive neuromuscular condition called Friedreich’s ataxia. (Log on to www.cureFA.org for more information.)

Alec has been slowly losing muscle control and now uses a wheelchair most of the time. As a boy who wants to do what his friends are doing and be involved in sports, this loss of mobility has been a devastating blow. His younger brother was also recently diagnosed with the condition.

My son has been struggling to find things to do that make him feel “cool,” like any 13-year-old boy, and I have tried to find activities that he enjoys that are somehow possible given his limitations.

Knowing that Alec loves hunting and had an interest in sport/target shooting, I wanted him to pursue more outdoor activities. I decided to try to find a “shooting program” in the area. We started with the local hunter safety course and my son took it very seriously and passed his test, which made him feel proud.

I then found the most caring, safety-conscious and compassionate group I could have hoped for. I spoke to a local NRA representative and he referred me to the Victor Rod and Gun Club. I explained my situation and the special needs of my son. The wonderful president of the club, Wes Bailey, invited us to see the facility and meet some of the members — he was so welcoming! I brought both of my sons, and my older son was very excited about the possibility of learning how to use a real gun with real targets.

They did not have a specific “youth shooting program” but generously offered something even better — a sort of “big brother” mentorship relationship! Wes sent out an e-mail to the club members, and Jim Kingsman stepped up to offer his time and expertise to help a complete stranger. He has generously donated his time for my son a few hours a week to provide him this opportunity, which has made my son feel like he is involved in a sport and is part of something “cool” that he can tell his friends about!

Jim even let my son bring his cousin once to participate in some trap shooting! Again, for a 13-year-old boy who is rapidly losing his mobility, for whom many “cool” activities are not possible, it has meant so much to him to be able to do something like this.

Like any parent, to see Alec smile and feel good about himself for a period of time when he struggles with self-esteem so often, I have nothing but intense appreciation for the Victor Rod and Gun Club for opening its doors, introducing us to Jim Kingsman, and being focused on safety and love for a sport that is welcoming my son and making it “adaptive” so he can be involved!

It feels great to know there are such amazing people in the Victor community who are willing to help my son and put a smile on his face just because they can.

Thank you, Victor Rod and Gun Club.

Karen Brown lives on Woodbrooke Road in Victor.

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